Article

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory demyelinating disease of
the central nervous system. Prevalence of depression in MS is significant.
Existence of mood disorders alters the patients' life quality.
OBJECTIVE: To
determine the prevalence of depression in MS and establish the relationship
between the severity of the disease, the onset of depression and their
correlation with neuroimaging. METHODS: Fifty patients with MS aged 20 to 50years
followed at the Neurology Department of Charles-Nicolle Hospital from 2008 to
2012 participated in this study. The evaluation included a neuropsychological
assessment, physical examination with EDSS and MRI. RESULTS: Association between
MS and depression is common and known. In our study, prevalence of depression was
65%. Coexistence of other psychiatric disorders was found in around 10% of
patients. Mood disorder was inaugural in some cases and delayed in others. This
suggests that depression in MS may be linked to the disease or a result of a
functional disability process. Occurrence of depression was not directly related
to disease severity in all cases studied. CONCLUSION: Depression is a possible
manifestation of MS. This mood disorder is due to the demyelinating brain damage
or to a genetic susceptibility. However, a fortuitous association cannot be
excluded.
CI - Copyright (c) 2014 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS